A performer in traditional Chinese costume dances at the opening ceremony for the third Optics Valley tourism and culture festival, held in Optics Valley. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony for the third Optics Valley tourism and culture festival, as well as the Optics Valley traditional Chinese costumes festival, kicked off recently, according to local officials.

It took place on Aug 25 at World City Optics Valley Walking Street in Optics Valley of China -- also known as the East Lake High-tech Development Zone -- located in Wuhan, capital city of Central China's Hubei province.

Sponsored by the zone's bureau of culture, sports and tourism, the event attracted the participation of thousands of locals and enthusiasts for traditional Chinese costumes.

People in traditional Chinese dress wait for the start of the opening ceremony on Aug 25. [Photo provided to chinadailycom.cn]

The performances at the opening ceremony, officials added, were all based on the theme of culture from ancient Chinese dynasties and most performers wore the traditional garb of various dynasties.

According to officials, the Optics Valley traditional Chinese costumes festival, launched together with the third Optical Valley tourism and culture festival, is a major event of the year and has become a major brand activity for the zone.

They said it is committed to creating a new tourism brand for the zone that can inherit and promote the culture of traditional Chinese costumes.

The festival will run to Oct 7 and there will be traditional Chinese costumes on show and a photo exhibition every Saturday.